Bethesda news, restaurants, nightlife, events and openings, real estate, crime reports and more - the way only a lifelong Bethesda resident like Robert Dyer can bring it to you. Everything you want and need to know about Bethesda, plus special investigative reports you won't find anywhere else. The must-read blog for breaking Bethesda news, when you want to be the first to know.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

One-room schoolhouse to take over old Bruce Variety building in Bethesda

The Mysa School, a modern re-imagining of the one-room schoolhouse, is the new tenant at the former home of Bruce Variety at 8011 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Opening this fall, the school will be enrolling boys and girls in Grades 6-9. As it grows, it will eventually go up to Grade 12 - a full high school education.

Mysa calls its new model of the famed American one-room schoolhouse a "micro school." In a hybrid approach, Mysa will combine hands-on, group project work directed at solving the problems of today's world with a customized learning platform tailored to each student, who will select from a menu of options. The result the curriculum is designed to produce is one that draws from around the internet and the world, while helping students develop strong interpersonal relationships with their classmates. A "globally-connected one-room schoolhouse," in their words.

The school won't offer cafeteria meals, but will order in from downtown Bethesda restaurants several times a week. Sure beats cafeteria food.

You can find out more about the Mysa School, and if it is right for your child, by attending an information session at Pizzeria Da Marco (right across the street from the school) on June 12, 2016, from 5:00-7:00 PM. Or visit their website. I have to say, this sounds like a fascinating concept for those seeking an alternative to public or traditional private schools.

7:23: This is indeed breaking news, and a pretty interesting story. At least for people whose intellectual pursuits extend beyond hiding behind a computer screen like a 10 year old and calling people "birdbrain."

@2:15 You're right! Up until this week I had no good excuse for not posting! I had a great idea for a post on Monday and found that I can't log in! This should all be resolved tomorrow when our IT guy stops by the house. We share him with 10 other households, and he set the website up for me in the first place! Then,I promise to get back to posting!

@7:07 All those Poppy people over in Somerset have an 'IT Guy' to set up their home networks, install updates on their tablets and smart thermostats and of course their personal email servers. Remember, if HIllary has it, these people do too.